Contact: Sharonda Jones

Phone: (240) 514-7473

Little PHOENIXES Brings New S.T.E.A.M. Power Program to Inspire Young Residents of Barry Farm Community

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 4, 2016– Little PHOENIXES has taken the youth of Barry Farm Dwellings, in grades ranging from 4th to 8th, under its wing for a new S.T.E.A.M.Power Program, designed to combine the principles of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics with life-lessons of empowerment, encouragement, and inspiration. The customized 6-week/1-day per week program, created by Little PHOENIXES founder Sharonda Jones and offered free-of-charge to participants, runs from September 30, 2016 to November 4, 2016. Another session is scheduled for Spring 2017.

Classes are held on the property and all supplies are either donated or provided by Little PHOENIXES. Topics include aerodynamics, engineering, energy, and architecture. Empowerment lessons cover anti-bullying, peer-pressure, positive affirmations, and confident communication. By making STEAM mobile and tailored to the participants, Little PHOENIXES is able to serve the communities that need it the most, while giving every child the opportunity to rise above their circumstances.

“With the great number of STEAM-based programs offered in schools, it is easy to take for granted that all children have the same access to the same programs, but unfortunately this is not the case. Our aim is to bring balance to what is available to children of underrepresented populations with regards to science, technology, engineering, art and math, and their introduction to these fields as career choices.” - Sharonda Jones, Little PHOENIXES

Once a homeless teen herself, Jones overcame adversities to graduate with honors from a D.C. Public School and then the University of the District of Columbia. She believes all children should be encouraged to dream, empowered to believe in themselves and given the inspiration to rise as the great overcomers they were created to be. Future plans include serving other communities similar to Barry Farm, creating mentoring opportunities, and inspiring the next generations of minorities to pursue careers in S.T.E.A.M.

About Little PHOENIXES

Little PHOENIXES is a volunteer-supported organization that operates solely on donations for the purpose of introducing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) to young girls and boys of low-income communities, and using the principles of S.T.E.A.M. to encourage, empower, and inspire them to rise above their circumstances. For more information, visit www.littlephoenixes.com .